A stunning study of national civics education in high schools shows that only nine states require students to pass a rigorous social studies test to graduate, and only two–Ohio and Virginia–use a standardized test, a finding that helps to explain why younger Americans are tuning out the politics and the presidential election.

The study from a Tufts University youth research group revealed that schools nationwide are radically reducing their support for studies in government, citizenship, law and current events. Also, the number of states requiring a state civics tests has dropped by a third.